Sometimes the music world has a way of instantly transporting me back to my middle school cafeteria, forcing me to choose a genred table as I listen to everyone music name dropping in order to procure themselves a place at the illusive cool table. And who are the kids at the cool table all in a fuss about these days? Kanye and Bon Iver.
Like most fads, experiences, and ‘cool things’ in middle school, I just don’t get it.
Kanye. Maybe it’s because I’ve never entirely gravitated towards rap. It’s too wordy and I’m never able to follow along. Maybe it’s because Kanye is a massive ass wipe and I have a hard time separating that from a genre I’m not all together in love with in the first place. Or, he’s just not as great as everyone says he is. Genius? Really? That seems a bit hyperbolic. Am I missing something? Is the emperor wearing new clothes?
I asked my brother his thoughts on the subject. His response is as follows:
I usually don't like shitting on certain music, cause if it makes someone happy who am I to complain, but in the case of Kanye, he's a douche-bag and his music is confusingly popular so here's an abridged list of things I like more than Kanye West and his music...
Gorilla Glue
Early Britney Spears
Angry Birds (the game)
Taco Bell
Angry Birds (like actual birds fighting)
The View
The Republican Party
The Animorph series
Every puppy ever
P90X
The sound of a metronome
All songs feat. Ludacris
Fragglerock
Beginner Violinists
The letter "P"
You get the idea. Most of this world > Kanye West
Agreed. Still, I am open to some kind of explanation as to what is so ‘genius’ about Kanye. Please feel free to comment and enlighten me.
And then there’s Bon Iver. It’s not so much his music that I have a problem with. He’s a talented artist with a solid new album. What I don’t get is the extremes with which people revere him. I was recently listening to a podcast of grown men gushing about how genius (again with this word) Justin Vernon is (interesting that he often collaborates with Kanye...)and how they openly wept upon listening to his new album. Openly wept? Really, I shouldn’t judge. I recently wrote about weeping in the airport while watching Adele’s VMA performance of Someone Like You and quite frankly, put me in front of a good old school Kodak commercial and I’m in pieces. Maybe it’s his prepubescent voice that gets to the fellas? My vagina and I just don't get it.
Again, I consulted my brother for his opinion.
To the "man" who openly wept upon hearing Bon Iver's new album,
Jack Handy once said that it takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. Well here I am, the bigger man, laughing at you.
happy weeping,
Max
Apparently Bon Iver doesn't render every male into a puddle of weepy mess. So for those of you sitting with your ipod and tear stained face, let me know, what is it that does it for you? I'm curious.
That is a great list Vanilla Thunder. Although you did leave out hard booze and Velcro shoes, but i guess you couldn’t have included everything.
ReplyDeleteSide note: Im just going to throw this out there...Kanye probably has a song featuring Ludacris.
As to how Kanye West has overcome his D-bagness and bad haircuts and left other more talented musician in the wake of his 100 ft yacht which is crewed by 12 topless employees and despite being a boat still manages to have spinning rims? The same reason the political party "The Tea Party" has been successful as of late. I don’t really know what either is talking about, but they are both loud and have great names. I believe Kanye had a concert in Boston one time...coincidence? i think not.
- Monster